Mektić Donates Equipment Worth Around 200,000 Euros to BiH Firefighters

The Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dragan Mektić, today handed over firefighting equipment for ten BiH municipalities in Trebinje, worth around 400,000 KM. Uniforms, protective helmets, protective gloves, knapsacks, and backpack pumps for firefighting were received by fire units in Mostar, Trebinje, Čajniče, Foča, Gacko, Bileća, Konjic, Jablanica, Stolac, and Neum.

This is part of the IPA cross-border cooperation program between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, successfully implemented by the Ministry of Security of BiH and INZA Sarajevo. Partners from Montenegro included the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro – Directorate for Emergency Situations and FORS Montenegro – Foundation for the Development of Northern Montenegro.

The total value of this European Union project for BiH, which also included firefighter training, was around 200,000 euros. Additionally, Mektić announced that the Ministry is implementing an EU project through which entity civil protection services will receive protection and rescue equipment worth one million KM.

Today in Trebinje, Mektić held a meeting with representatives of the civil protection administrations of Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, as well as ten municipalities and fire units. During the meeting, issues and challenges in firefighting were discussed.

It was emphasized that coordination and information exchange need to be at a higher level, which is of utmost importance for effective action and firefighting, as all municipalities in Herzegovina are threatened by fires this year. It was also stated that it is necessary to utilize all available capacities, including the assistance of firefighters from municipalities not affected by fires.

Minister Mektić also requested that firefighters and civil protection services identify their equipment needs, which the Ministry would secure through projects and international partners.

In Trebinje, a handover of two off-road motor vehicles also took place – a donation from the Ministry of Security of BiH to the municipalities of Stolac and Istočni Mostar for civil protection needs. The vehicles were received by the Mayor of Istočni Mostar, Božo Sjeran, and the commander of the Stolac Volunteer Fire Department, Slađan Marić.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has again been hit by fires this year, which BiH firefighters are struggling to combat due to insufficient and inadequate firefighting equipment, reports NAP.